Is it Time for a Change?

–Sign Alexandra’s Petition–

Skippy Massey
Humboldt Sentinel

The following comes from theCauses.com websiteand was posted by local resident Alexandra Silva on March 1.

Alexandra wants to bring awareness and a petition concerning pedestrian safety– or the woeful lack of it– to Eureka citizens. We’d like to share it with you because it’s a timely issue.

To the Citizens of Eureka: Pedestrian Safety on H and I Streets in Eureka

We hear about pedestrians getting hit because of drivers either going too fast or not paying attention.

H and I streets are two of the busiest streets in Eureka and it’s our job as citizens to make sure that they are safe for us.

H and I streets in Eureka run pass Eureka Senior High School. Most students’ morning routine is walking to school and almost getting hit by the morning 8 a.m. traffic. It’s the same with the lunch rush; then when school gets out, it’s time for the 3 p.m. traffic.

There are “Slow School X-ing” signs and crosswalks everywhere but most drivers disregard them.

Along with the high school, these streets are where Carson Park is located. It’s also a residential area.

SOLUTIONS

Solution 1:Put In a Divider

Putting a divider down the middle of H and I Streets making each into a two-way street would cut down on pedestrian-related accidents by adding a safe place for them to stand on while traffic is refusing to stop for the cross walk.

The median would make it impossible for immature drivers to race. It would not only be a safe change but also be an esthetically pleasing change by planting trees and plants in the divider.

Adding this median would make it easier for students of Eureka Senior High School to cross as well as citizens using the Eureka Transit Bus System.

Making H and I streets 2-way will make it impossible for drivers to switch lanes, pass already stopped cars, and hitting a pedestrian, like what happened on Friday, March 1. (And we might add, the recent death of a 14-year-old pedestrian boy in the vicinity on March 9.)

This won’t “congest traffic” like many people think it would. There will still be 2 lanes going either way. Eventually people will get used to the change. H and I streets will be as safe and efficient as E and J streets.

Now the money issue. How much is a human life worth? This year it is expected that 12 pedestrians are going to die in Humboldt from trying to cross the street. Why can’t our city redistribute some money into a fund to make our streets safer?

Solution 2:Strategically Place Stop Signs Along H and I Streets

This would help drivers from reaching high speeds of a long distance. This will also help pedestrians cross the street. These stop signs can go hand in hand with the new blinking cross walks seen by the Teen Center and the Sequoia Park Zoo. Adding a few of those on cross streets that are most often used and where the bus stops would give pedestrians trying to cross the attention and right-of-way.

Solution 3: Increase Police Patrol on H and I Streets

Years ago, there used to be a police car randomly placed along these streets forcing drivers to slow down and pay attention. This worked very well for the time being– until one day the cop stopped showing up giving drivers the freedom to drive how they pleased.

Please Comment Because We Can Update the Ideas. Any and All Suggestions are Helpful.

If one of these ideas pass, people can cross the street easier and live their daily lives with less of a fear of having to cross the street.

Alexandra also said, “Sign the petition and send it around. Share it. The first step to solving this problem is raising awareness.”

If you scroll down her page, you can view the outstanding comments Alexandra and others have given. We like this gal’s chutzpah. Eureka should be a safer and more walkable community. It’s a jungle and a speedway out there.

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